This morning when I turned on my laptop, an error pops up before windows even starts.

Error Message:
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Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

<Windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe.

Please reinstall a copy of the above file.
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I'm using an Acer Travelmate 371 TCi Laptop and I only have an external Acer CD-Rom Drive. I found out that I have to use the Recovery Console on my Windows XP CD. The problem is that I dont have the Windows XP Recovery CD or Floppy Disk when they prompt me for it, I only have 1 port for IEEE 1394 Devices. Another problem is I dont have an Acer Recovery Disc as I misplaced it. Can anybody help me fix this problem or tell me where to download the Windows XP Recovery Console or Acer Recovery Console so that I could burn it and use it to fix my laptop. Its better if you just give me a step by step basis on how to do it. I've tried going to the Acer Website but i couldn't find any help there. Just to remind you I'm using an Acer Travelmate 371 TCi Laptop.

If you do a repair installation of Windows (XP?), you won't have to re-install any of your apps. However, you will have to install all of your windows hotfixes and updates. You shouldn't have to do a repair install, however.